Cisco Designers Challenge: 16 phones + CM + VM on the cheap

Guys,

It's been about a month since I logged in. I have been so busy with things. All I managed to do in the past month we work and get my MCTS: Hyper-V Configuration.

Anyway, Let's say you wanted to drop 16 Cisco phones in and you wanted 5 FXO ports to the PSTN, and you wanted voicemail and auto-attendant. A small business with a single site.

What models of phones would you use? Would you recommend using one of Cisco's dedicated media servers or a router? What about one of the forms of unity?

I'm wondering because I have been challenged with a project, and although I have already decided on another solution (using Asterisk + SIP phones). What would you guys have done in this scenario if you were using Cisco? I WANTED to use Cisco originally.

Thanks,
HT

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Comments

ccie15672

CallManager Express
CallUnity Express

Cisco 7960s...

hypnotoad

ccie15672 wrote: »

CallManager Express
CallUnity Express

Cisco 7960s...

Ah yes but what router would run Unity Express + have at least 4 FXO?

dtlokee

Look at the 1861 with an additonal 4 port FXO card. You could also look at the UC500 series but I like having the flexability of a full blown version of CME. Also if you can go to a 2 line phone instead of the 6 line phone look at the 7940's.

hypnotoad

So, Imagine that I had either a UC500 16U or 1861 from somewhere. And then I bought the 7960's from somewhere else.

I suppose that would require me to purchase a license for each phone in addition to the actual hardware. Plus smartnet contracts...yikes.

How does that work?

darkerosxx

Be careful with the 16U UC520, btw. It's the last step up for that hardware. The 8/16 unit is the most you can get. To get more, you have to actually purchase the 24 unit to replace the 8/16 unit. If you're at 16 now, get the 24 unless you're sure you won't expand.

To your question, though, the UC520 comes with the licenses installed, so when you plug in a phone, it registers it with the license. All you'd need to purchase in addition to the hardware is the support contract and the phones.

hypnotoad

Excellent, thanks a lot darkerosxx. I did the CCNA-V but whenever Jeremy refers to licensing (which is sparingly), I just cringe. Either in print or video format....nothing person, I just don't like licensing!

shodown

hypnotoad wrote: »

Guys,

It's been about a month since I logged in. I have been so busy with things. All I managed to do in the past month we work and get my MCTS: Hyper-V Configuration.

Anyway, Let's say you wanted to drop 16 Cisco phones in and you wanted 5 FXO ports to the PSTN, and you wanted voicemail and auto-attendant. A small business with a single site.

What models of phones would you use? Would you recommend using one of Cisco's dedicated media servers or a router? What about one of the forms of unity?

I'm wondering because I have been challenged with a project, and although I have already decided on another solution (using Asterisk + SIP phones). What would you guys have done in this scenario if you were using Cisco? I WANTED to use Cisco originally.

Thanks,
HT

What type of router do you already have and what type of switches are you using? Are they POE

From there I would take a look at the QOS of the LAN. Even though the LAN has much more bandwith than the WAN you could grow and this could save you pain later.

After these 2 things are done. you have a few options

use existing router and add a CUE module and go from there.

Upgrade existing hardware and start over if your current equipment is out of date.

As for phones

you will need to buy 7941/7961. You can get buy with a few FXO ports or you can buy a fractional PRI from a provider. We design sites like this all the time.